Republican lawmaker asks Schwarzenegger to quit

WASHINGTON - WASHINGTON (AP) - A California congressman on Friday called on fellow Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to resign over his handling of a water crisis in the San Joaquin Valley.

Rep. Devin Nunes represents several communities that he said are withering away because they can't get enough water pumped to their farms. Federal regulations are restricting water flow to protect a tiny fish called the delta smelt.

The governor told farmworkers and farmers on Friday that he'll do everything he can to bring more water to the valley this season.

Nunes said the solution is an emergency reprieve from the Endangered Species Act that would allow more water to be pumped through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

"What's offensive is when he came into the valley today and said absolutely nothing about turning on those pumps," said Nunes, R-Visalia.

The governor doesn't have the authority to exempt the state from federal environmental regulations.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Matt David said the congressman was trying to grab headlines by finger pointing, which won't solve the problem.

"Governor Schwarzenegger has led the fight for reforming California's broken water system by bringing all interested parties to the table and working with Senator (Dianne) Feinstein to craft a comprehensive water package," David said. "We encourage Congressman Nunes to be part of the solution as opposed to part of the problem."

Nunes said the lack of water has idled about 300,000 acres of farmland and thrown tens of thousands out of work. He's criticized Democratic lawmakers in recent days for siding with "radical environmentalists."

But now he's criticizing members of his party, too.

On Wednesday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar took a helicopter tour of the delta with Schwarzenegger. Salazar urged California to modernize its antiquated water system and pledged $260 million in federal stimulus money to help finance water projects. He also ruled out waiving environmental laws.

Nunes said the aid will be too late for many farms and businesses.

"These guys are living in another world. Obama, Salazar, Schwarzenegger. I don't know what planet they're on, but they ought to come down here and walk through some of these communities with me so they can see how the real people live."